When You Walked into My Life

3 | Where Dreams are Made

Lily's POV

I have figured Aaron out over the years. I am one of the lucky caseworkers to have the same kid more than once.

I know that she will never actually say what's on her mind even though she has great ideas. I also know that the past four foster placements were not her fault.

Sadly, no matter how many times I try to tell her I know she will never believe me. She doesn't misbehave or act aggressive, the parents are just in it for the wrong reasons.

So here I am driving the tween to New York. There is a good group home that I think Aaron will love. That might be too optimistic for this situation, but Illinois certainly isn't going well.

This change will hopefully open more opportunities before she ages out of the system. As I look at the now asleep preteen I notice how peaceful she looks. I hope she will be able to adjust well in New York.

Aaron's POV

I wake up feeling just as tired. I hear the sound of the car's tires against the road and the soft music playing from the radio.

I open my eyes to be met with bright sunlight. I am confused because I should have been woken up hours ago to be brought back to the group home.

"Look who is awake!" Lily says just as exuberantly as before.

"Where are we?" I ask, still sleepy.

She is hesitating to answer my question. Great, this is it. I am doomed. I knew I shouldn't have let myself get comfortable. Screw sleep.

I read somewhere that some dude in the 1900s experimented on rats that all died from sleep deprivation. Maybe it would work on humans...

My thoughts get interrupted when Lily says, "We are going on a trip."

Trip? As in leaving my "hometown." I can't help but laugh. Can I even call it my hometown if I haven't lived anywhere other than a group home for more than three years?

"Why?" I ask curiously.

"I have talked to a couple of my bosses and we all think you should be relocated," she says, looking like she is waiting for my reaction. "We think it's for the best."

My mind is going a mile a minute. Wow, I guess I'm so bad I have to leave town.

I nod my head in acceptance. I try and fall back asleep before my thoughts take over my mind for the second time today.

I wake up seven hours later. This time refreshed and met with darkness.

It is about eleven at night and we have been on the road for about twelve hours. I notice a green sign that reads, "Welcome to New York" in bold white letters, and below it reads, "The Empire State."

There is probably more than one greeting sign, but this one is underwhelming. Where dreams are made.

We stop an hour later and Lily tells me we are here. I look up and see a brick building that looks exactly like every other building we have passed the last twenty or so minutes.

Lily finds a spot and walks up to the building. She knocks and we are both greeted by another lady who is dressed in a light pink robe and slippers.

"Lily pleasure to see you again!" the new lady says. "And you are with?"

"Aaron," Lily replies, looking at me. "This is Aaron Edwards," She gently places her hands on my shoulders.

That's all I hear before completely zoning out. I guess this is "home."

A few minutes later I hear the adults stop talking. Lily gives me a big hug and whispers in my ear, "I wish you the best of luck!"

"Thank you," I say, returning the hug. This is most likely the last time I will see her.

After she leaves I am shown a room and immediately lie down on the bed.

How long will I last here?